Ipomoea plant named ‘DAYBREAK’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Ipomoea indica  var.  acuminata  cultivar named ‘DAYBREAK’ is disclosed, characterized by yellow-green foliage. The new cultivar is an  Ipomoea indica  var.  acuminata , typically suited for ornamental container and garden use.

Latin name of the genus and species: Ipomoea indica var. acuminata.

Variety denomination: ‘DAYBREAK’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety originated as a chance discover by the inventor, LuenMiller. The variety was discovered as a naturally occurring whole plantmutation among a planting of unpatented, unnamed Ipomoea indica var.acuminata. The new variety was discovered during the Summer of 2000 at acommercial nursery in Royal Oaks, Calif.

After selecting and isolating the new cultivar, asexual reproduction ofthe new cultivar ‘DAYBREAK’ was first performed at the same commercialnursery in Royal Oaks, Calif. Vegetative terminal cuttings were used forpropagation. The inventor continued confidential, controlled evaluationand propagation of ‘DAYBREAK’, to establish a stable clone, with themost yellow-green foliage coloration. ‘DAYBREAK’ has since producedseveral generations and has shown that the unique features of thiscultivar are stable and reproduced true to type. Typical asexualreproduction of the new variety is by vegetative cuttings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DAYBREAK’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘DAYBREAK’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘DAYBREAK’ as a new and distinct Ipomoeacultivar:

-   -   1. Distinctive Yellow-Green foliage, especially on younger        foliage.    -   2. Mature foliage maintains Yellow-Green Coloration in full sun        situations.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DAYBREAK’ are similar to the parent in mosthorticultural characteristics. However, ‘DAYBREAK’ differs in producingfoliage distinctive colored Yellow-Green when immature and in full sun.The parent variety has green foliage. Additionally, plants of the newvariety are less vigorous than plants of the parent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DAYBREAK’ can be compared to the well-knowncommercial variety Ipomoea batatas ‘Marguerite’, unpatented. Plants of‘DAYBREAK’ are similar to plants of ‘Marguerite’ in some horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of ‘DAYBREAK’ form a very long, twiningplant, with abundant flowering. ‘Marguerite’ does not typically flower,and forms a mounding, trailing plant.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DAYBREAK’ can be compared to Ipomoeamarginata. The new variety is similar in some horticulturalcharacteristics. However, the plants of ‘DAYBREAK’ are less vigorous,and produce a violet-blue flower, compared to the white flower of thiscomparator. Additionally, foliage the new variety can be yellow-greenwhereas Ipomoea marginata always produces green foliage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs were taken using conventional techniquesand although colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographictechniques.

FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a comparison of young foliage of thecommercially known species Ipomoea indica var. acuminata with typicalyoung foliage of the new variety ‘DAYBREAK’. Foliage of ‘DAYBREAK’ isthe yellow-green leaf on the right side of the photograph.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical plant of ‘DAYBREAK’ grown outdoors in RoyalOaks, Calif. This plant is approximately 20 weeks old, from an unrootedcutting.

FIG. 3 illustrates in full color a comparison of mature foliage of thecommercially known Ipomoea indica var. acuminata with typical maturefoliage of the new variety ‘DAYBREAK’. Foliage of ‘DAYBREAK’ is theyellow-green mottled leaf on the right side of the photograph, and thelight green leaf also found on the right side of the photograph. Bothare typical examples of mature foliage found on ‘DAYBREAK’.

FIG. 4 illustrates in full color a typical flower of ‘DAYBREAK’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The R.H.S.Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. The following observations and measurementsdescribe ‘DAYBREAK’ plants grown during the Spring months in agreenhouse in Oxnard, Calif., under bright, unshaded conditions. Averageday temperatures were approximately 20° C. to 26° C. and the averagenight temperature was approximately 15° C. to 18° C. No artificiallight, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to theplants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalplant types.

-   Botanical classification: Ipomoea indica var. acuminata ‘DAYBREAK’.-   Age of the plant described: Approximately 20 weeks from an unrooted    cutting.-   Container size of the plant described: 5 gallon commercial    container.

PROPAGATION

-   -   -   Propagation method.—Terminal cuttings.        -   Time to develop roots suitable for transplanting.—Summer            about 6 days at an average temperature of 24° C.;            Winter-about 10 days at an average temperature of 24° C.        -   Root description.—Fibrous.        -   Tuber description.—None observed.

PLANT

-   -   -   Growth habit.—Twining vine. Can also creep along ground if            unsupported.        -   Height.—Measured from top of soil line of pot, approximately            60 cm, with a stake in the pot for the vine to grow up.        -   Plant spread.—Approximately 45 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Rapid.        -   Branching characteristics.—Not very free branching unless            pinched. Will produce lateral branches from any node from a            pinch.

-   Primary branches:    -   -   Length.—A range between 80 to 150 cm on a 1 year old plant.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 cm.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—Most commonly near RHS Greyed-Purple N187A.        -   Strength.—Very flexible, young growth easily broken, older            growth becomes stiff and strong like twine.        -   Internode length.—Average range between 5 cm to 15 cm.        -   Adventitious roots at nodes.—Not observed.

-   New shoot growth characteristics:    -   -   Color.—Near Greyed-Orange 165A.        -   Aspect.—Twining.        -   Texture.—Highly pubescent. Hairs colored near Orange-White            159D, approximately 0.15 cm long.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple.        -   Average length.—9 cm.        -   Average width.—8 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—3 lobed or more rarely, cordate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Cordate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Aspect.—Very slight upward fold and slight undulation            occasionally.        -   Texture of top surface.—Pubescent, velvety.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Pubescent.        -   Quantity of leaves per lateral branch.—Average 10 to 18 on a            100 cm length of stem.-   Foliage color:    -   -   Young foliage upper side.—Typically near RHS Yellow-Green            N144A, variegated or flushed with Yellow-Green 151C. Leaves            can be solid colored with flushing, or variegated.        -   Young foliage under side.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D.        -   Mature foliage upper side.—Typically near RHS Yellow-Green            N144C, solid colored with flushing, or variegation of            Yellow-Green N144A. Foliage can also be colored Yellow-Green            144A. Margins can have a very fine line of Greyed-Purple            187A.        -   Mature foliage under side.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.-   Venation:    -   -   Type.—Reticulate.        -   Venation color upper side.—Near Greyed-Purple 187A, or            Yellow-Green 144B, flushed 187A, or Yellow-Green 144B.        -   Venation color under side.—Near Yellow-Green 146D.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Average range from approximately 2.0 to 4.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Texture.—Highly pubescent. Hairs colored near Yellow-Green            145D.        -   Color.—Near Greyed-Purple N187A.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Straight to slightly curved.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Flowering begins in April or early May.-   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Axillary, solitary    salverform single flowers.-   Rate of flower opening: About 5 days from bud to fully opened    flower.-   Flower longevity on plant: About 2 to 3 days.-   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-Cleaning.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Oblong.        -   Length.—About 5.8 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 1.7 cm.        -   Color.—RHS Purple 78C.-   Flower size:    -   -   Diameter.—Average 5.6 cm.        -   Length.—Average 6.5 cm.        -   Corolla tube diameter.—About 1.4 cm.-   Corolla/petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Symmetric.        -   Lobe length.—About 1.0 cm.        -   Lobe width.—About 2.5 cm.        -   Quantity.—5.        -   Texture.—Velvety.        -   Lobe apex.—Mucronate.        -   Margin.—Entire.-   Color:    -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: RHS Violet-Blue N89B, faint,            star shaped pattern, at fusion of lobes, colored near Purple            77A. Lower surface: RHS Violet-Blue N89D, star shaped            pattern colored near Purple 76A.        -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: RHS Violet-Blue N89C, faint,            star shaped pattern, at fusion of lobes, colored near            Purple-Violet N81A. Lower surface: RHS Violet-Blue N89B,            star shaped pattern colored near Purple 76A.-   Corolla tube:    -   -   Length.—Average 3.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—Widest point average 1.5 cm, narrowest, average            1.0 cm.        -   Texture.—Glabrous all surfaces.        -   Color.—Inner Surface: Near RHS Violet 84C. Outer Surface:            Near RHS Purple 75C and 75D.-   Calyx/sepals:    -   -   Quantity per flower.—5, fused at approximately 50% from            base.        -   Shape.—Narrow deltoid.        -   Length.—Average 2.4 cm.        -   Width.—About 0.6 cm, unfused individual sepal.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Fused.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Slightly velvety exterior surfaces, glabrous            interior.        -   Color.—Exterior Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C, apex            near 144A. Interior Surface: RHS Yellow-Green 144A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Average 2.2 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Orange 177A.        -   Orientation.—Slanted upward and undulating.        -   Pubescence.—Slightly pubescent.-   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 1 cm.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Flat, linear.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.5 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS White 155A.        -   Pollen.—Color: Near RHS White 155A. Quantity: Moderate.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—About 3.2 cm.        -   Style.—Length: About 2.9 cm. Color: RHS White 155A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Linear. Color: RHS White 155A. Ovary Color:            RHS White 155A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: No seeds/fruits observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    the normal pests and diseases of Ipomoea has been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates low temperatures to approximately    2° C. Good high temperature tolerance, observed to at least 40° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Ipomoea indicavar. acuminata plant named ‘DAYBREAK’ as herein illustrated anddescribed.